Computer vision syndrome, which is also called digital eye strain, is a series of eye and vision-associated problems that are caused by excessive screen time. The level of discomfort appears to increase with excessive computer use.“How excessive are we talking?” you ask, very aware of how often you scroll through your phone to avoid boredom.

Researchers determined that the average adult spends approximately 6 hours and 43 minutes per day staring at a screen. Over the span of a lifetime, that calculates to 7,956 days — over 21 years of a person’s life spent using a digital device.

For some people, this exposure is inevitable, as working at a computer is part of their work and everyday life. But it is important for a person’s mental and physical well-being to work toward achieving balance regarding screen time.One of the dangers of our digital lives is all of that blue light emitted from screens. Blue light can cause eye strain and disrupt your sleep patterns. What can you do to reduce the effects of computer vision syndrome? Computer glasses are designed to reduce digital eye strain. Increasing your blink rate and taking breaks from your screens can help, too. (More on this later.)

Computer vision syndrome (digital eye strain) is quite rampant in our society. Young children and adults alike suffer from the symptoms of headaches, eyestrain and more. Digital eye strain is a result of fatigue and overuse of the visual system. The visual system is complex. Seeing 20/20 is only one piece of the puzzle. Digital eye strain is created when the focusing and/or eye-teaming systems lose stamina, efficiency, and flexibility.

Digital eye strain is similar to an overuse injury in sports. Our visual systems were not created to have the intense near-vision demands of today’s world. The eyes work harder when they’re looking at a digital screen, whether it be a computer, smartphone, tablet or television. Not only do the eyes work harder, but according to the University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics, they blink less — 66% less often — than when not viewing a screen. It is known that the more we concentrate the less we blink. A decreased blink rate contributes to the development of dry, irritated eyes or dry eye syndrome.

Some other factors that contribute to digital eye strain are uncorrected vision issues, poor posture, screen glare, your distance from the screen, and room lighting. The lighting in the room should be comfortable, so you’re not staring into the glare of the computer screen.